Richard A. Sheehy

Mr. Sheehy is a founding shareholder of the firm, and has been with the firm continuously since it was formed in 1985. Prior to that time, he practiced law as a member of the litigation section of a major firm in Houston. Currently, he is President of the firm, and is head of the appellate section. He has represented clients on both sides of the docket in over 150 cases in the appellate courts, including cases in the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the Texas Supreme Court, and the Texas Courts of Appeals. Many of these cases are considered the leading authorities in Texas on the issues presented in the appeal. He is the author of a number of papers on topics related to civil trial and appellate law, and is a frequent speaker to various professional groups. He has lectured at a local law school, college, and high school. Mr. Sheehy is board certified in civil appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Mr. Sheehy also has an active and varied trial practice. He has served as regional counsel for companies involved in national products liability litigation. He has extensive experience in the defense of mass tort litigation, civil rights cases against municipalities, and professional malpractice claims against doctors and lawyers. He has handled some of the leading cases on First Amendment rights in Texas, including disputes over public access to judicial proceedings and the reporters’ privilege. Lawyers from both sides of the docket consult with him on a regular basis on complex legal issues. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Mr. Sheehy is also committed to the community. He has served on the Boards of several schools and charitable organizations, and is an active member of his Church.

Private Nonracial Discrimination Under 42 U.S.C. Section 1985(3) (University of Virginia School of Law 1978)

Successfully represented the petitioner before the Supreme Court of the United States in Henderson v. United States, 517 U.S. 654 (1996). Mr. Sheehy argued the case before the Court. He was hired to represent the petitioner after the Court of Appeals rejected petitioner’s argument on the application of the service provision of the Suits in Admiralty Act.

Successfully represented the hospital in three leading cases before the Texas Supreme Court on hospital liability. Miller ex rel. Miller v. HCA Inc., 118 S.W.3d 758 (Tex. 2003) (Court rejects liability for hospital that refused to withhold treatment for child born alive but prematurely after significant jury verdict against hospital); Romero v. KPH Consolidation, 166 S.W.2d 212 (Tex. 2005) (Court rejects liability for hospital for malicious credentialing of doctor); Payne v. Galen Hospital Corp., 28 S.W.3d 15 (Tex. 2000) (Court affirms no liability for hospital for injury to nurse). He is considered a leading expert in Texas on the new medical malpractice legislation, especially in the field of compliance with statutory requirements for expert reports.

Represented newspapers in the first cases in Texas on public right of access to judicial proceedings. These cases involved emergency petitions for writ of mandamus in the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company v. McMaster, 598 S.W.2d 864 (Tex. Crim. App. 1980) (en banc); Houston Chronicle Publishing Company v. Shaver, 630 S.W.2d 927 (Tex. Crim. App. 1982) (en banc).Mr. Sheehy also successfully represented a television station in the first case in Texas on the reporter’s privilege. Channel Two Television Company v. Dickerson, 725 S.W.2d 470 (Tex. App.–Houston [1st Dist.] 1987, orig. proceeding). Represented landowners on appeal in a case involving damage to land after a pipeline explosion. This case is one of the only cases in Texas in which an appellate court affirmed an award of punitive damages. Seminole Pipeline Co. v. Broad Leaf Partners, 979 S.W.2d 730 (Tex. App.–Houston [14th Dist.] 1998, no pet.)

Acted as regional counsel for Dow Corning Corporation in litigation involving claims of personal injury allegedly sustained as a result of the use of breast implants. The firm was responsible for more cases than any other firm in the country. Mr. Sheehy served on the company’s national products liability litigation team.

Education

University of Virginia, (J.D., 1978)

University of Virginia, (B.A., with high distinction, Physics and Speech Communications, 1975)

Legal Memberships

State Bar of Texas

American Board of Trial Advocates

Federal Bar Association

Houston Bar Association (Chairman, Litigation Section 1986-87)

Texas Association of Defense Counsel

International Association of Defense Counsel

Defense Research Institute

Bar Association for the Fifth Circuit

Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation

Fellow, Houston, Bar Association

Honors and Awards

Texas Super Lawyer

Board Certified: Civil Appellate Law

Phi Beta Kappa

Omicron Delta Kappa

Water Polo (All-State 1971-1973)

Distinguished Student Award (University of Virginia 1978)

Admissions

State Bar of Texas

United States Supreme Court

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

United States District Courts for the Western, Southern, Eastern and Northern Districts of Texas